Sewing-machine bobbin



y 11, 1954 w. A. AYRES 2,678,012

SEWING MACHINE BOBBIN Filed Aug. 29, 1951 INVENTOR. 14/010914? A 4 955BYW'L,

A 770/? NEYJ Patented May 11, 1954 SEWING-MACHINE BOBBIN Waldemar A.Ayres, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to White Sewing Machine Corporation,Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application August 29, 1951,Serial No. 244,159

Claims. (Cl. 112-251) This invention relates to sewing machine bobbinsand, more particularly, to thread bobbins for use in sewing machines ofthe type employing rotary shuttles.

Modern sewing machines, especially those intended for domestic use,utilize a rotary shuttle for supplying thread from beneath the materialand cooperating with the thread carried by the needle to form alock-type stitch. The source of supply for the thread coming from theshuttle is conventionally provided upon a bobbin, a plu rality of suchbobbins being normally provided so that threads of diiferentcharacteristics are readily available for use in the machine, thebobbins being interchanged when a different type thread is desired.Heretofore, adequate means have not been provided for retaining oranchoring the free end of the thread on such thread bobbins when thelatter are not in use with the result that the thread frequently becomesunwound, at least in part, and becomes entangled with other bobbins orwith attachments which are frequently stored with the bobbins. This notonly results in wastage of thread, but also creates an undesirablesituation which sorely tries the patience of the operator.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved thread bobbin for asewing machine which incorporates novel means for anchoring the free endof the thread on the bobbin when the latter is removed from its case.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved thread bobbin,having a hollow core portion with spaced disk-like flanges adjacenteither end of the core between which thread is adapted to be wound, witha means on the outer face of one of the said flanges for frictionallyretaining the free end of thread wound on the bobbin when the latter isremoved from the bobbin case.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved threadbobbin of the type described above and in which the thread retainingmeans, or anchor, is an annular disk-like member secured to the outerface of one flange of the bobbin with the outer edge of the memberunattached so that a portion of the free end of the thread on the bobbinmay be wedged between the said flange and the annular member to preventthe thread from unwinding.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved threadbobbin as described above and wherein the novel thread anchor orretaining means is so constructed and arranged that it does notinterfere with the normal operation of the bobbin when the latter ispositioned 2 within the bobbin case and utilized in sewing operations.

The invention also has as an object, the provision of a novelconstruction for thread bobbins such that an improved thread anchor orretaining means may be easily provided thereon without materiallyincreasing the cost of the bobbin, the construction being such as topermit manufacture of the bobbins from metal, plastic, combinations ofmetals and plastic, and from other materials.

The invention further resides in other novel features of the threadbobbins and further objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following description of the present preferredembodiment, and certain modifications, described with reference to theaccompanying drawing, in which identical parts in the several views aredesignated by the same reference numerals, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the present preferred embodiment ofthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on the line 22of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a first modification of theinvention;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on the line 44of Fig. 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 4, butillustrating another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a still different embodiment of theinvention; and,

Fig. 7 is a detached elevational view of an annular member or disk,utilized in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the numeral I0 denotesgenerally a thread bobbin of the type utilized in sewing machines of therotary shuttle type. Such a bobbin comprises a hollow central core I Iand spaced disk-like flange members [2 and I3, each of which isfrequently provided with an annular recess or groove 14 and 15,respectively. When such a bobbin is con structed of metal, the outerends of the core H may be provided with integral shoulders such as [6and reduced diameter portions, such as ll, outwardly of the shoulders,which are adapted to fit through the opening of the flange members l2and I3. The outer ends of the @core member are then spun over orotherwise deformed to secure the flange members l2 and H to the coremember II.

In accordance with this invention, a thread anchor or retaining means isprovided on the outer face of one of the flanges preferably while thelatter is being assembled with the core so that the anchor or retainingmeans is also secured by the above mentioned spinning or other deformingof the end of the core. For example, the bobbin shown in Figs. 1 and 2is provided with a thread anchor or retaining means in the form of asubstantially annular disk-like member [8 which is formed of relativelythin resilient metal having a central opening corresponding with thatthrough the flanges l2 and [3. The outer diameter of the member I3 ispreferably less than that of the flanges l2 and i3 and is here shown asbeing slightly less than the outer diameter of the annular grooves M, [5in the faces of the flanges. The member I8 is sleeved over the reduceddiameter outer end portion H of the core ll after the adjacent flangemember, such as l3, has been placed thereon and the outer end portion llof the core is then deformed to secure the members l8 and [3 to thecore, the outer periphery of the member !8 being unattached to theflange member 13.

In employing a bobbin of the type here described, thread is woundthereon in th usual manner and when it is desired to store the bobbin,the loose end [9 of the thread is led over the periphery of the flangemember [3 and wedged between the outer face of the latter and the memberIt as shown in Fig. 1. This may be readily effected by holding th threadadjacent its free end [9 at the place where it passes over the flangewhile at the same time moving the free end of the thread over the outerface of the flange. This will cause a portion of the free end of thethread to catch under the disk' or member l8, such catching beingfacilitated by the space provided between the edge of the member l8 andthe adjacent annular groove or recess 95 in the flange. If desired, themember I8 may be slightly concave, as viewed from the outer face of thebobbin, to facilitate the insertion of the thread between the member (8and the adjacent flange of the bobbin. This concavity should not,however, be excessive so that there may be no frictional drag of thebobbin when the latter is utilized in the shuttle. When the bobbin is tobe so used, the free end H) of the thread is readily removed from theanchor or retainin means and the bobbin may then be inserted in thebobbin case with the free end I9 of the thread passed through theconventional tensioning means of the case.

The bobbin and anchor means, shown in Figs. 1

and 2, are constructed entirely of metal. The invention includes theincorporation of a thread anchor or retaining means in such bobbins. Forexample, in the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the bobbin 241 is providedwith a core 2| and flanges 22 and 23, all formed integrally of plastic.As mentioned before, the outer faces of the flanges may be provided withannular grooves such as 24 and 25, which may be formed in the bobbin atthe time when it is molded. A bobbin of this type may be provided with athread retaining or anchoring means by making the latter in the form ofa relatively thin annular disk-like member 26 formed of plastic,preferably of the same type as used for the bobbin proper. Such a diskwill have a central openin corresponding in diameter with that of thecore 2! and is secured to the outer face of one of the flanges, forexample 23, adjacent the opening through the core with the outerperiphery of the member 25 unattached so that the free end 19 of thethread may be wedged between the member 26 and the flange 23 in the samemanner as described above with respect to the embodiment shown in Figs.1 and 2. The. member or disk 26 may be secured to the flange 23 by anyconventional means such as by use of heat, an adhesive, a solvent forthe materials employed which will provide for adherence of the materialsafter the solvent dries, Or b other means well known in the-plastic art.

In the forms of the invention thus far described, the thread retainingmember or anchor has been disclosed as having a diameter less than thatof the adjacent flange of the bobbin and as having its outer peripheryadjacent a groove or recess in the face of the flange. It is notnecessary, however, that the diameters be so related. Nor is itnecessary that a groove be provided in the face of th adjacent flangesince, as noted above, the annular member, such as l8 or 26. may be veryslightly concave tosecure the necessary space, adjacent the periphery ofthe member. between it and the flange to facilitate entrance of thethread.

Fig. 5 illustrates a further modification in which a bobbin, designated2-], is formed of plastic and has integral flanges such as 28. In thisform of the invention, however, the flanges are not provided with anannular groove, similar to 24', 25 of Figs. 3 and 4. Instead, theouterface of at least one of the flanges tapers slightly from a regionadjacent the core to the periphery, this being effected for example byhaving. this surface of the flange slightly convex as shown in Fig. 5. Athread retaining member 29 may be provided upon such a bobbin bycementing or otherwise bonding or securing the. latter to the flange 28adjacent the opening therethrough, the member 29 being substantiallyplanar so that a very slight Wedge-like opening is provided between theperiphery of the latter and the adjacent face of the flange 28 tofacilitate introduction of the thread therebetween, the space betweenthe flan e 28 and member 29 bein somewhat exaggerated in Fig. 5.

Instead of forming the bobbin and thread retaining means entirely ofmetal or entirely 01' plastic these elements may be formed of variouscombinations of metal and plastic or of different materials. Forexample, Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate one form of the invention in which aplastic bobbin 30, similar to bobbin 20, is provided with a metal threadretaining member or means 3|. This thread retaining means 3| may be inthe form of a relatively thin, annular, disk-like mem ber which issecured to the adjacent flange, such as 32, of the bobbin by anysuitable means, As here illustrated, the member 3| is intended to beattached during the time when the bobbin is molded. and consequently thedisk or member 3| is provided with serrations, such as 33, see Fig. 7,

" about its central periphery or opening so that a.

part of the material comprising the bobbin will flow between and aboutthese serrations thus securing the member 3| to the flange 32 in theregion of the serrations. In the illustrated form, this is achieved bythe material of the bobbin flowing through and about the serrations 33during the molding operation so as to provide a slight annular boss 34,see 6. In place of providing the member 3! with serrations, it may havesmall spaced holes adjacent its inner periphery or it may be secured tothe bobbin after the latter is molded rather than during the moldingoperation, if desired.

While certain specific embodiments of the invention have been hereillustrated and described, it will be apparent that modifications otherthan these shown or suggested may be readily effected especially withrespect to the shape of the outer face of the bobbin flange, therelative dimensions of the flange and thread retainer and the means forsecuring the latter to the bobbin. Such changes are all considered tocome within the ambit of the invention which is not limited to thedetails here shown and described except as required by the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a hollow coreportion with spaced substantially planar disk-like flanges adjacenteither end between which thread is adapted to be wound, and asubstantially planar disk-like annular member permanently attached tosaid bobbin on the outer face of one of said flanges in a regionadjacent the opening therethrough and concentric therewith, the saidmember contacting the outer surface of said one flange adjacent theopening therethrough and extending closely adjacent the outer surface ofthe said one flange throughout the entire area of said member with theouter edge of said member unattached to said flange, whereby a portionof the thread held on the bobbin may be passed over the edge of said oneflange and between the latter and said member to frictionally hold saidthread from unwinding from the bobbin.

2. A thread bobbin of the type defined in claim 1 and in which the outerdiameter of said annular member is less than the outer diameter of theadjacent flange of the bobbin.

3. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a hollow coreportion with spaced disk-like flanges adjacent either end between whichthread is adapted to be wound, at least one of said flanges having anannular recess in the 4 outer face thereof, and a substantially planarresilient disk-like annular member attached to said bobbin on the outerface of the said one of the flanges and concentric therewith with themember and flange in engagement adjacent the opening in said member, thesaid attachment being restricted to a region adjacent the openingthrough the said member so that the outer edge of the member isunattached to said bobbin and extends adjacent the said annular recess,whereby a portion of the thread wound on said bobbin may be passed overthe edge of said one flange and between the latter and said member tofrictionally hold said thread from unwinding, the

thread being guided into position between the and concentric therewithwith the said member extending in engagement with the outer surface ofsaid one flange adjacent the region of attachment of the member and withthe periphery of said member extending closely adjacent the said flangebut unattached thereto so that a portion of the thread wound on thebobbin may be passed over the edge of said one flange and wedged betweenthe latter and said member to frictionally hold said thread fromunwinding.

5. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a hollow coreportion with spaced disk-like flanges adjacent either end between whichthread is adapted to be wound, the outer surface of at least one of saidflanges being tapered toward the other flange from the region adjacentthe core to the outer periphery, and a substantially planar disk-likeannular member permanently attached to said bobbin on the outer face ofthe said one flange in a region thereof adjacent the core with the saidmember extending outwardly from said region of attachment and having itsperiphery spaced from the adjacent flange by the amount of taper of saidone flange whereby a portion of the thread wound on said bobbin may bepassed over the edge of said one flange and between the latter and saidmember to frictionally hold said thread from unwinding.

6. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a tubularmetal portion with spaced metallic substantially planar disk-likeflanges adjacent either end secured in place by deformation of the outerend of the tubular portion, and a substantially planar disk-like annularmember secured between the outer face of one of said flanges and thedeformed portion of said tubular portion whereby the said annular memberis attached to said one flange only adjacent, its central periphery withits outer edge unattached but disposed closely adjacent said one flangeso that thread wound on said bobbin may be passed over the edge of saidone flange and between the latter and said member to frictionally holdsaid thread from unwinding.

7. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a hollow coreportion with spaced substantially planar disk-like flanges formedintegrally from a plastic material, at least one of said flanges havingan annular recess in the outer face thereof, and a substantially planarresilient disk-like annular plastic member bonded to the outer face ofone of said flanges only in a region adjacent the said core portion andconcentric therewith so that the said member extends closely adjacentthe outer surface of said one flange throughout the entire area of saidmember with the outer edge of the latter unattached to said one flangeand disposed adjacent the said annular recess thereby providing a threadanchoring means for thread wound upon said bobbin.

8. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a hollow coreportion with spaced substantially planar disk-like flanges adjacenteither end formed integrally from a plastic material, and asubstantially planar disk-like resilient metallic annular memberpermanently attached to the outer face of one of said flanges only in aregion adjacent said core and concentric therewith with the outerperiphery of said member unattached to the one said flange but extendingclosely adjacent thereto thereby providing an anchor for the free end ofthread wound upon said bobbin.

9. A thread bobbin of the type defined in claim 8 and wherein the saidannular member has portions thereof adjacent its inner peripheryembedded in the plastic material of the bobbin during the forming of thelatter and the adjacent flange of the bobbin has an annular recess inits outer face with the outer edge of said member extending adjacentsaid recess.

10. In a sewing machine bobbin, spaced flanges between which thread iswound, and an annular member permanently secured on said bobbinexteriorly of said flanges and with the portion of said member adjacentits inner periphery engaging one of said flanges for anchoring the freeend of the thread wound upon the bobbin between the member and flange,the said member extending closely adjacent the said one flangesubstantially throughout the entire area of the said member and having asmooth and continuous profile thereby preventin the thread wound 8 onsaid bobbin from catching on the said member when the bobbin is utilizedin a sewing machine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 594,989 Finn Dec. 7, 1897 1343,533 Hall et a1 Jan. 30, 1923 101,780,742 Clark Nov. 4, 1930 2,340,574 Ashworth Feb. 1, 1944 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 12,466 Great Britain I907

